New enrolment policy from December 2017

Now that we are a school that is over-subscribed, our Board of Management has been working on a revised Enrolment policy for our school. The new policy gives priority to siblings of children already in the school and gives priority to children who will turn 4 before the end of March in the year they are due to start school. Within each category, the first-come-first-served rule still applies. Both the new and the old enrolment policies are included below.In order to make the process as fair as possible, we have devised a transition plan for the new policy so that it is introduced gradually. For 2018 enrolments, 75% of places will be allocated via our old policy, which was strictly first-come-first-served, and 25% of places will be allocated via the new policy, which prioritises siblings who will turn 4 by the end of March.This policy and transition plan has been ratified by the Board of Directors of Educate Together, our Patron and governing body.

New Enrolment Policy and Transition Plan - being phased in over 4 years

Principal:Caitriona HandThe school day runs from 8:30am until 1.10pm for children at Junior and Senior Infants level and from 8.30am until 2.10pm for all other class levels.

Citywest ETNS is under the patronage of Educate Together. Parents and guardians are advised to familiarise themselves with the Educate Together ethos prior to enrolling their child in the school.We are a mainstream co-educational national school with one Class for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ultimately, the school will cater for children from Junior infants to Sixth class.

Citywest ETNS is a developing school and is co-educational and equality-based. Citywest ETNS is a national school and as such operates in accordance with the rules for national schools and is dependent on such grants and teachers’ resources as are provided by the DES. All school policies must have regard to the resources and funding provided.

Educate Together schools are national schools that teach the national Primary Curriculum and are open to all, irrespective of social, cultural or religious background. Educate Together schools have four underlying principles:

Equality Based – All children are treated equally, children of all denominations and none are equally welcome into our schools.

Co-educational – Educate Together schools are open to girls and boys and gender stereotyping is addressed and challenged.

Child-centred - this applies not only to teaching and learning within the classroom but to all decisions at staff and management level, which must have the well-being of the children at heart.

Democratically-run – parents are viewed as a positive resource for the school. Parental involvement is welcomed and encouraged, where appropriate. The professional role of the teacher is validated at all times.

This policy has been set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and provides for equality of access and participation in the school for all children in our society whatever their social, religious, cultural and racial background and whether or not they have a disability or special educational needs.CitywestETNS follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998).Eligibility CriteriaUnder the Education Act 1998, a child may not be allowed to attend or be enrolled in a primary school before the 4th anniversary of his/her birth. In CitywestETNS, children must be 4 years old on or before 30thJuneof the year of admission into Junior Infant classes.Siblings of children currently enrolled in the school are given priority over non-siblingson the pre-enrolment list, subject to the conditions outlined below in the Enrolment Criteria. Places within each categoryare offered on a first come, first served basis.Parents who feel that they their child’s adoption or foster placement may have delayed their pre-enrolment date should clearly indicate this on the pre-enrolment form as well as provide all documentation requested to this effect.

In determining admissions, the Board of Management shall take account of Department of Education and Skills regulations in relation to staffing, class size and class average. The Board of Management shall also have regard to issues such as physical space, multi- grade classes, and the presence of children with additional educational and/or behavioural needs.

A child's name may appear only once in our pre-enrolment system. Therefore, a parent must decide whether to pre-enrol their child for a mainstream classor for theclass for children with Autism, not both.

A parent/guardian can move their child's name from one list to another, by putting that request in writing to the school, preferably via email to news@citywestetns.ie. Parents/guardians mustensure that a written/email acknowledgement of that communication is received from the school. Changes made by 31st Januaryin the relevant year (i.e. the year in which the child is due to start school) carry the original pre-enrolment date with them. Changes made from 1st February in the relevant year carry the new date as the pre-enrolment date from that time on, even if they choose to then revert to the original pre-enrolment listor subsequently choose to move the pre-enrolment to a future year.Pre-enrolment categories for Junior Infant classes:Categories 1 to 4are as follows:

Siblings who will have turned 4 by 31st March before starting Junior Infants and who were pre-enrolled by 31st January of the relevant year

Non-siblings who will have turned 4 by 31st March before starting Junior Infantsand who were pre-enrolled by 31st January of the relevant year

All other siblings pre-enrolled by 31st January of the relevant year

All other children

Note: Fostered or adopted children will be placed on the pre-enrolment list in accordance with their birth date. Their place on the pre-enrolment list will depend on the time elapsed between placement of the child with the family and the enrolment date. For example, a child placed with the family at age two but placed on the enrolment list at age three will be treated as a child enrolled at age one. Confirmation from the relevant agency of the date of placement of a child with the family will be need to be provided with the enrolment form. A pre-enrolment number will be provided which is relevant to the child’s place on the list. It is the parent's responsibility to inform the school of this at pre-enrolment (not when offers are being made!) Pre-enrolment must be received by 31st January in the relevant year to avail of this allowance.Admissions Procedures

Parents/Guardians wishing to apply for a place for their child must complete and return a pre-enrolment form. This form iscompleted on the school website. This form requires the parent to give the school certain information regarding their child.

On receipt of a completed pre-enrolment form, a pre- enrolment number is allocated to each applicant.

Each child is placed on the list according to category and pre-enrolment number.

Separate lists will be kept for each year group, Junior Infants to 6th class. For Senior Infants to 6th class lists, children will be listed according to pre-enrolment number.Categories do not apply.

No guarantees of places will be given or implied by pre- enrolment.

Subject to availability, places will be allocated according to category, in the order 1 to 4. If there are insufficient places within any given category, places within that category will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. For example, places will not be offered to children in category 2 until all children in category 1 have been offered a place and that place has been accepted or refused, places will not be offered to children in category 3 until all children in category 2 have been offered a place and those places have accepted or refused, and so on. Within each category, places are allocated based on the order of pre-enrolment number.

Children will, as a rule, only be admitted into Junior Infant classes during the month of September. Children may be admitted to a Junior Infant class during the school year provided they are transferring from another school.

Letters of offer will be sent out starting on 1stFebruary prior to the September for which the child is pre-enrolled. Parents/Guardians must reply in writing to confirm an offered place within 7 days. Failure to respond within 7 days will result in the place being forfeited.

On acceptance of a place the child’s birth certificate should be provided to the school, a copy will be taken, and the original returned to the parent/guardian.

Parents/ Guardians of Junior Infants may defer the child’s place for one year, providing the child is under 6 by the first of September of the year in which he/she starts school. This means that the child will be placed on the list for the following year according to the original pre-enrolment number. Deferral does not guarantee a place the following year. Parents/Guardians of children for classes other than Junior Infants cannot defer a place. Only children granted an age exemption for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme by Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) will be considered for exemption from the upper age limit for Junior Infant enrolment. The letter of exemption from DCYA must be submitted at deferral stage.

If a place is not offered during the school year for which a place is sought and parents wish their child’s name to be put on the waiting list for the following year (either for Junior Infants or for another class) they must inform the school by the 30th September of the year for which the place is sought. By doing this the child will be placed on the list for the following year according to their original pre-enrolment number. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make such a request in writing; otherwise the application will be removed from the school’s pre-enrolment list.

It is the sole responsibility of the parent to inform the school promptly of any change of address, telephone number or other relevant circumstances.

Enrolment of Children with Additional Educational Needs into MainstreamClasses:Where it is apparent that a child has a disability or other additional educational needs, the school may require that these needs be assessed prior to admission in order to enable the school to make suitable advance preparations for the admission of the student and, if necessary, to seek additional resources.

The school will use the funding provided to it by the Department of Education and Skills to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with a disability or other additional educational needs, including, where necessary, alteration of buildings and provision of appropriate equipment.

CitywestETNS endeavours at all times to practice the school policy of inclusion and welcomes applications from children with additional educational needs. Such applications are subject to the enrolment principles outlined above. In order to assist the school in establishing the educational and physical needs of the child relevant to his/her ability or additional needs, and to profile the support services required, the school requests that the parent/guardian of the child:

Informs the school of any additional needs as early as possible in the pre- enrolment /enrolment process.

Ensures that copies of the child’s medical and /or psychological report(s) are provided to Citywest ETNS.

Where such a report is not available, a request should be made that the child would be assessed immediately. Following receipt of the report the Board of Management will assess how the school can meet the needs specified therein. Where the Boarddeems that further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the DES and/or the NCSE provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report(s).

The Principal may, in conjunction with the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) or DES inspector, meet with the parents/guardians of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting those needs.

Applications for admission in respect of a child with a disability or other additional educational needs will be refused where the nature of the child’s needs are such that they would make impossible, or have a seriously detrimental effect on, the provision of education by the school to other children.

Code of Behaviour:Children enrolled in CitywestETNSare required to co-operate with the school’s Code of Behaviour and other policies on curriculum, organisation and management. Parents/Guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children co-operate with these policies in an age appropriate way.

Transition Plan for 2018 to 2022Citywest ETNS will transition from the previous enrolment policy to the new enrolment policy over a 4-year period. Places during this transition time will be allocated as follows. Where a child would be offered a place in the same round of offers under both policies, that offer will count as an offer under the category offering the highest number of places that year i.e. under the old policy in 2018 and 2019 and under the new policy from 2020 on.

Year%age of places given via previous policy%age of places given via new policy

201875 (likely 40places)25 (likely 14places)

201950 (likely 25places)50 (likely 25places)

202025 (likely 13 places)75 (likely 37places)

21210100 (likely 50 places)

Failure to Secure a Place:Parents may appeal a refusal of admission to the school to the Board of Management or to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills. The appeals process includes appeals based on changes made to the policy. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.For further information, contact: Section 29 Appeals UnitDepartment of Education and Skills Friars Mill Road Mullingar Co. Westmeath T | (044) 9337008 E | www.education.ie Parent who are experiencing difﬁculty in securing a place for their child should contact the National Educational Welfare Board to seek the assistance of their local Educational Welfare Ofﬁcer: www.newb.ie | info@newb.ie | 01 873 8700

Additional Information:CitywestETNS endeavours to provide the highest standards of care for its pupils. In order to achieve this objective successfully, it is vital that the school be informed of any relevant situation regarding health, bereavement, domestic circumstances etc. Any such information should be passed by the school principal and shall be treated in strictest confidence.Data ProtectionThe school acknowledges its obligations as a data controller under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. Information obtained for the purposes of allocating places in the school to applicants will only be used and disclosed in a manner which is compatible with this purpose. Only such personal data as are relevant and necessary for the performance of this function will be retained. The school undertakes to ensure that such information is processed fairly, that it is kept safe, secure, accurate, complete, and up-to-date. Individuals have the right to have any inaccurate information rectiﬁed or erased. A copy of all personal data obtained and kept as part of the admissions process will be made available to the subject of such data on receipt of a written request to the chairperson of the BoM.Ratification and ReviewThis policy will be formallyratiﬁed by the Board of Management on 5th December 2017. It is scheduled for review inNovember 2019. Educate Together, as patron, approved the manner of this policy’s publication on 5thDecember 2017.The board of management reserves the right to alter this policy, subject to its statutory obligations, including its obligations to Educate Together as patron. Should the policy be altered, applicant parents will be advised in writing, and will be supplied with an amended policy. All alterations will come into effect 30 days after the date of notiﬁcation. ​ContactsPlease refer all admission-related queries to Caitriona Hand, Principal.

Previous enrolment policy - being phased out over 4 years

This policy has been formulated by Citywest ETNS to assist parents in making an informed decision in relation to child enrolment and to comply with legislation and Department of Education and Skills circulars.

School details:

Name: Citywest Educate Together National School

Address: Fortunestown Lane, Citywest, Dublin 24.

Telephone: 01 4035906

The school day runs from 8:30am until 1.10pm for Infants and from 8.30am until 2.10pm for all other classes.

General Information:

This policy has been set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and provides for equality of access and participation in the school for all children in our society, whatever their social, religious, cultural and racial background and whether or not they have a disability or special educational need.

Citywest ETNS is under the patronage of Educate Together. Parents/Guardians are advised to familiarise themselves with the Educate Together ethos prior to enrolling their child in the school.

Ultimately, the school will cater for children from Junior infants to Sixth class. The school will have an initial intake of Junior Infants and Senior Infants only, with a phased intake in successive years, (subject to resources, accommodation, and other relevant management considerations) on the following basis –

Citywest ETNS is a developing school and is co-educational and multi-denominational. Citywest ETNS is a national school and as such operates in accordance with the rules for national schools and is dependant on such grants and teachers’ resources as are provided by the DES. All school policies must have regard to the resources and funding provided.

Eligibility Criteria:

Under the Education Act 1998, a child may not be allowed to attend or be enrolled in a primary school before the 4th anniversary of his/her birth. All places in mainstream classes are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

In determining admissions, the Manager shall take account of DES Regulations in relation to staffing, class size and class average. The Manager shall also have regard to issues such as physical space, multi-grade classes, and the presence of children with special educational and/or behavioural needs.

Admissions Procedures:

Parents/Guardians wishing to apply for a place for their child must complete and return an application form. This form can be obtained by contacting the school office or may be downloaded from the school website. This application form requires the parent to give the school certain information regarding their child.

On receipt of a completed application form a pre-enrolment number will be allocated to each applicant. If more than one application form is received on a particular day then these numbers are awarded in the order of post-date on the envelope. If the post date on the envelopes is the same then children will be put on the admissions list one after the other in alphabetical order of surnames.

Each child will be placed on the list according to the pre-enrolment number. If parents have twins, triplets, etc. then the children will be put on the list one after the other in alphabetical order of the child’s first name.

Two separate lists will be kept for each year, a Junior Infant and a non-Junior Infant list. Children will be listed in order of pre-enrolment number.

If a place is not offered during the school year for which a place is sought and parents wish their child’s name to be put on the waiting list for the following year (either for Junior Infants or for another class), they must inform the school by the 30th September of the year for which the place was sought. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make such a request in writing; otherwise the application will be removed from the school’s admissions list.

No guarantees of places will be given or implied by pre-enrolment.

Children will, as a rule, only be admitted into Junior Infant classes during the month of September. Children may be admitted to a Junior Infant class during the school year provided they are transferring from another school.

Children will be offered places strictly by order of pre-enrolment number on the admissions list. Siblings are not given priority.

Letters of offer will be sent out starting in the Spring of the year for which the child is pre-enrolled. Parents/Guardians must reply in writing to confirm an offered place within 7 days of the date of offer. Failure to respond within 7 days of the date of offer will result in the place being forfeited.

Parents/Guardians of Junior Infants may defer the child’s place for one year, providing the child is under 6 on the first of July of the year in which she/he starts school. This means that the child will be placed on the list for the following year according to the original pre-enrolment number. Deferral does not guarantee a place the following year. Parents/Guardians of children for classes other than Junior Infants cannot defer a place.

It is the sole responsibility of the parent to inform the school promptly of any change of address, telephone number or other relevant circumstances.

On acceptance of a place the child’s birth certificate should be provided to the school, a copy will be taken, and the original sent back. The child’s PPS number should also be provided.

Enrolment of children with Special Needs into Mainstream Classes:

Citywest ETNS endeavours at all times to practice the school policy of inclusion and welcomes applications from children with special needs. Such applications are subject to the first-come-first-served principle and applicants with special needs will not be advantaged or disadvantaged over other children in terms of the priority afforded their application. In order to assist the school in establishing the educational and physical needs of the child relevant to his/her disability or special needs, and to profile the support services required, the school requests that the parent/guardian of the child:

Informs the school of any special needs as early as possible in the pre-enrolment/enrolment process

Ensures that copies of the child’s medical and/or psychological report(s) are provided to Citywest ETNS.

Where such a report is not available, a request should be made that the child be assessed immediately. Following receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified therein. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the DES and/or the HSE to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report.

The Principal may, in conjunction with the SENO or DES inspector, meet with the parents/guardians of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting those needs.

Code of behaviour:

Children enrolled in Citywest ETNS are required to co-operate with the school’s Code of Behaviour and other policies on curriculum, organisation and management. Parents/ Guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children co-operate with these policies in an age appropriate way.

Appeals Procedure:

Parents/Guardians who are dissatisfied with an enrolment decision may appeal in writing to the Board. The letter of appeal must be addressed to the Manager, stating the grounds of appeal and it should be lodged within 10 days of receiving the refusal.

Parents/Guardians who are unhappy with the outcome of the appeal may appeal to the DES on foot of Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 on the official form provided by the DES.

Additional Information:

Citywest ETNS endeavours to provide the highest standards of care for its pupils. In order to achieve this objective successfully it is vital that the school be informed of any relevant situation regarding health, bereavement, domestic circumstances, etc. Any such information should be passed by the school principal and shall be treated in strictest confidence.

This policy was ratified by the School Manager on 1st September 2012.The policy was updated and ratified by the Board of Management on 5th June 2013.